Thursday March 27 Ag News

 Pillen Kicks Off First Water Quality & Quantity Task Force Meeting
 
Wednesday, Governor Jim Pillen took another step in protecting and preserving Nebraska’s vital water resources. Speaking to executive-level members, he kicked off the first meeting of the Water Quality and Quantity Task Force.
 
“We have tremendous opportunity through this group to initiate actions that will impact Nebraska for generations to come,” said Gov. Pillen. “For years, water policy in this state has been largely reactive. Now, we have the knowledge and technology in place to be proactive in how we approach issues that impact our farmers, our industries and our communities.”
 
These core members, appointed by the Governor, represent a cross-section of interests and industries:
Jesse Bradley, Interim Director, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Environment and Energy (DEE)
Matt Manning, Engineer, Department of Natural Resources
Marty Stange, Environmental Supervisor, City of Hastings
Brandon Hunnicutt, Chairman, Nebraska Corn Board
Don Batie, Past-President of the Natural Resources Commission and farmer
Dean Settje, Founder & President, Settje Agri-Services
Scott Schaneman, General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District
 
Additional members will be added in the coming weeks, creating a team of about 20 – 25 people. In addition to water quality and quantity, an inter-related issue is education. Members of the group say they want to encourage increased adoption of technologies and solutions for handling water issues, especially in agriculture.
 
Over the next 12 to 15 months, the group will meet to identify short, mid, and long-term goals and accompanying action items to be pursued. To better focus on specific issues, members may break down into smaller subgroups.
 
“Our water is our holy grail because of the Ogallala Aquifer,” noted Gov. Pillen. “We must be smart about how we use our water and keep it as clean and contaminate free as possible. Only then, will we be able to meet all necessary demands.”
 
Gov. Pillen announced the creation of the Water Quality and Quantity Task Force when he testified on LB317. That bill, brought on his behalf by Senator Tom Brandt, calls for the merger of the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in part, to bring more meaningful and streamlined oversight around water use.



Kreikemeier to Serve as New District 3 Representative

Keith Kreikemeier, a cattle producer from Weston Point, Nebraska, has recently joined the Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors as the District 3 Representative, succeeding Doug Temme. Growing up on his family’s farm and feedlot operation in Cuming County, Keith was immersed in cattle production from an early age.

“We always had cattle and focused on the feedlot side of things,” Kreikemeier said.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural Business, Keith returned to the family feedyard, continuing the legacy alongside his father and brother. Today, he co-owns Kreikemeier Feedyards with his brother, managing the operation and maintaining a strong presence in the local beef industry.

Keith’s decision to join the NBC board stems from a desire to engage more actively in the broader beef industry.

“I was asked to run for the position, and I saw it as an opportunity to get more involved and learn about what the Nebraska Beef Council does,” he explains. “The Beef Council plays an important role in educating and informing people about the beef industry, both locally and globally.”

Keith’s leadership experience includes serving as a past president of the Cuming County Feeders Association, a role that reflects his commitment to advancing the cattle industry in his community. As he begins his tenure on the NBC board, Keith is focused on learning the responsibilities of his position and identifying ways he can contribute.

Keith and his wife, Jen, are parents to two sons: Ethan, a college senior, and Simon, a high school senior. Both sons plan to return to the family operation upon graduating.



Annual UNL Beef Cattle Merchandising Class Bull Sale Set for April 12

The 32nd annual "Bulls Worth Waiting For" sale sponsored by the Beef Cattle Merchandising (ASCI 456) class through the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be held on Saturday, April 12 at the Animal Science Complex on Nebraska's East Campus.

Lunch and an opportunity to view the bulls in the R.B. Warren Arena will start at 11 a.m., followed by the auction at 1 p.m. The sale will also be available online through DVAuction.

The sale will have approximately 55 yearling bulls that are purebred Angus or composites of Angus and Simmental bulls. The "Husker Reds" are red angus and red Simmental composites, while the "Husker Blacks" are black angus and Simmental composites. All of the bulls have been genotyped and go through a rigorous selection process. The bulls are provided by the 220-cow NU Beef Teaching herd located at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREEC), near Mead, Nebraska.

Students in the class develop skills to merchandise breeding cattle including advertising, genetic and phenotype selection, data collection, and management of the seedstock bull sale.

"This class and the sale are both great ways for us to talk about bulls and sell their genetics to potential buyers," said junior Carson Maricle. "When you're in a sale barn, you rarely talk to the buyer or know what they are looking to buy. At our sale, we have the opportunity to speak with buyers and help match bulls to their operations to help them meet their goals."

More information, including the sale catalog and EPDs of the sale bulls, can be found on the sale website https://animalscience.unl.edu/university-nebraska-animal-science-bull-sale/. Additional information about viewing the sale bulls before sale day and participating in the sale online are available in the bull sale catalog https://animalscience.unl.edu/sites/unl.edu.ianr.casnr.animal-science/files/media/file/2025BullSaleCatalog.pdf.



Nebraska Teachers Invited to 2025 Summer Soybean Institute

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) is excited to announce its continued support for the 2025 Summer Soybean Institute (SSI), a hands-on, multi-day program designed to equip 20 middle and high school educators with the knowledge and resources to integrate soybeans into cross-curricular learning, highlighting their impact on science, math, economics and agriculture. This year's institute will be held on July 1-2 and July 8-10, 2025.

Hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) in collaboration with local teacher-leader collaboratives, SSI aims to provide educators with the tools to inspire "Soybean Enthusiasts" among their students by exploring the Nebraska Soybean Story.

Participants will engage with content experts from CASNR, NSB and local teacher-leader collaboratives to develop a comprehensive understanding of soybeans as a system. This approach encourages systematic thinking and connects classroom standards to real-world applications.  

“Our SSI planning team is excited to bring more teachers together to learn about the soybean through investigations and hands-on learning,” said Bailey Feit, CASNR and Lincoln Public Schools Early College and Career Pathways Coordinator. “Teachers will build upon lessons developed by past participants and be able to co-create their own cross-curricular and multi-level applicable lessons to take back to their classrooms in communities across Nebraska.”  

Educators can choose to attend sessions at either the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Laboratory in Concord or the FEWS2 Hub on East Campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Participants who complete all five days will receive a stipend of $1,050, a $250 lesson plan implementation bonus, and up to $1,000 for classroom supplies to enhance their teaching environments.  

The program teams for both locations include faculty members and experts from various departments within CASNR. The Summer Soybean Institute is made possible through the support of NSB and Nebraska Extension.  

Quotes from 2024 SSI Participants:
    “I have new respect for all those working in the agriculture industry. This workshop has opened my eyes to the large amount of science used in agriculture. I can now better share this with my students.”  
    “It was great to learn from experts and from one another. As a Nebraska transplant, I had no idea how important soybeans are to our state. The connections I made were invaluable, and the leaders of the program were wonderful.”
    “I have learned about the complexity of the farming process. And the resources and supplies I received as part of the Soybean Science Institute will help my teaching.”
    “I’m eager to introduce some awesome career possibilities for students who normally aren’t thinking agriculture as a career aspiration (in Omaha).”  

The application deadline is May 1, 2025, with priority given to cross-curricular teams of teachers. For more information and application details, interested parties are encouraged to visit the 2025 Summer Soybean Institute page or email k12partners@unl.edu.



Nebraska LEAD Program Class 42 Graduates, Recognized at Annual Banquet

The Nebraska LEAD Program honored the 29 Fellows of Class 42 during the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council’s Annual Recognition Banquet, held Friday, March 21, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Hosted in partnership with UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the banquet celebrated the completion of the two-year leadership development program and recognized key supporters who make the program possible.

As part of their graduation, each Fellow received a digital badge from UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, recognizing their intensive two-year study of agricultural leadership, communication and global perspectives. This micro-credential serves as a formal acknowledgment of their skills and can be shared with employers and professional networks to highlight their leadership development.

During the evening, Nebraska LEAD Class 42 Fellows shared insights from their experiences in the program and highlighted key takeaways from their two-year journey. Dr. Terry Hejny, who served as the program’s director during their first year before retiring, delivered the keynote address. He was also honored with the “Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD Award” in recognition of his dedication to agricultural leadership development in Nebraska.

“The Nebraska LEAD Program continues to develop individuals who are committed to the future of agriculture and rural communities,” said Kurtis Harms, director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. “Class 42 has demonstrated outstanding leadership potential, and I have no doubt they will make a lasting impact in their communities, businesses and beyond.”

Nebraska LEAD 42 Fellows (by hometown) who completed the program at the March 21 recognition banquet are:
ARCADIA: Michelle Bose
AURORA: Matthew Oswald
AYR: Adam Oldemeyer
BELLEVUE: Annalyssa Fountain
BROKEN BOW: Levi French
CAIRO: Ryan Hanousek
DEWITT: Wes Cammack
ELKHORN: John Garlock
GREENWOOD: Nicholas Swenson
HEMINGFORD: April Delsing
HOLDREGE: Logan Reed
KEARNEY: Sloane Holtmeier
LINCOLN: Nic Grams, Rachel Ibach, Michael Manning, Nathan Watermeier, Jake Werner
MASON CITY: Brad Parliament
MITCHELL: Jessica Palm
NORTH PLATTE: Emmet Storer
OMAHA: Cathryn Klein
ORD: Kelby Sudbeck
RANDOLPH: Blake Hokamp
SEWARD: Traci Menke, Zach Tveitnes
SHELBY: Carter Smith
WAHOO: Brett Storer
WOOD RIVER: Dalton Kenning

With the graduation of Class 42, the Nebraska LEAD Program has now surpassed 1,200 graduates since its founding more than 40 years ago. These alumni serve in key leadership roles across agriculture, business and policy, furthering the program’s mission of strengthening Nebraska’s agricultural industry and rural communities.

The Nebraska LEAD Program provides participants with in-depth leadership training through 12 in-state seminars, a national study/travel experience, and an international study/travel seminar. For more information, or to request an application for Nebraska LEAD 44 which begins in the fall of 2025, contact the Nebraska LEAD Program online at lead.unl.edu. The application deadline is June 15.



Updated NeFU Spring District Meeting Schedule
NeFU District 6 Spring Meeting
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 6:00 p.m.
The Office Bar & Grill
121 N. Main St.
Hooper, NE 68031
Paul Poppe (402) 380-4508 Cell
Andrew Tonnies (402) 590-7096 Cell



Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Receives Notice of Bankruptcy for Benson Hill Holdings, Inc.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been notified that Benson Hill Holdings, Inc., of St. Louis, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy effective March 20, 2025. Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. holds a grain dealer license in Iowa.

Anyone with unpaid grain sold to this dealer before March 20, 2025, may file a claim with the Iowa Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund. Claims must be made in writing and filed with Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Grain Warehouse Bureau, within 120 days (July 18, 2025).

Claims can be mailed or personally delivered to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Grain Warehouse Bureau. Failure to file a claim within 120 days relieves the Iowa Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund of its obligation. Failure to make a timely claim against the Iowa Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund does not relieve Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. of its liability to the claimant.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Grain Warehouse Bureau regulates and examines the financial solvency of grain dealers and grain warehouse operators to protect Iowa farmers. The Grain Warehouse Bureau is responsible for administering the Iowa Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund. Created by the Iowa Legislature in 1986 during the Farm Crisis to provide financial protection to farmers, the Grain Indemnity Fund covers farmers with grain on deposit in Iowa-licensed warehouses and grain sold on a cash basis to state-licensed grain dealers. In the case of a failure of a state-licensed grain warehouse or grain dealer, the Fund will pay farmers 90 percent of a loss on grain up to a maximum of $300,000 per claimant.

If claimants have questions, they can contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Grain Warehouse Bureau at 515-281-5987.



Iowa House Passes Anti-CCS Bill That Effectively Bans a Trump Energy Priority in Iowa

Today the Iowa House passed HF 943 that would essentially ban carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) pipelines in the state of Iowa. Access to CCS is vital to opening up new global markets for ultra-low carbon ethanol to grow corn demand and increase farm income. The Trump Administration has highlighted CCS as a key component to achieve American energy dominance.

“Today’s vote in the House was hardly surprising, but it is still disappointing,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “IRFA members have been saying for three years that CCS is the most important tool available to grow ethanol demand into new markets both here at home and around the world. As our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, what has happened? The largest two-year drop in farm income ever. Huge layoffs throughout the agriculture economy from equipment makers to coops. Several ethanol plants have shut their doors including one in Iowa. Just recently, Iowa was second only to Texas in the amount of emergency federal farm aid dispersed. Iowa farmers and ethanol producers want markets, not emergency assistance. Meanwhile our neighbors in Nebraska and our competitors in Brazil will have CCS projects in operation by the end of the year.”

The legislation now moves to the Iowa Senate, which unlike the House, has not voted to ban CCS technology in the past.

“We are confident that cooler heads will prevail in the Senate,” stated Shaw. “For three years we have reached out our hand to anyone wanting to enhance landowner rights while maintaining Iowa’s ability to grow its economy. That offer remains. The massive majority of impacted landowners have supported CCS projects with voluntary easements. But a small, though loud, minority want to override their rights. IRFA calls on the Iowa Senate to stand with the majority of impacted landowners, farmers, ethanol producers, and Iowa’s economic future to ensure the state has the tools it needs to meet the brewing economic disaster in the heartland.”

Emerging markets around the globe require low carbon ethanol, while new markets in heavy-duty engines, marine, rail and aviation are demanding ultra-low carbon ethanol. Market estimates for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) alone are pegged at 100 billion gallons annually worldwide. If ethanol producers are allowed tools like CCS to access these markets, corn grind could increase by billions of bushels providing a huge boost to farm income.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/21/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 21, ethanol production scaled back 4.7% to an eight-week low of 1.05 million b/d, equivalent to 44.23 million gallons daily. Output was 0.1% lower than the same week last year but 2.1% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.6% to 1.08 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.59 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rebounded 2.9% to 27.4 million barrels. Stocks were 4.8% more than the same week last year and 5.0% above the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and West Coast (PADD 5). Notably, stocks expanded 7.8% in the Midwest (PADD 2) to a record high of 11.6 million barrels.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 2.0% to 8.64 million b/d (132.86 bg annualized). Demand was 0.8% less than a year ago and 1.6% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed suit with a 2.0% decline to 878,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.50 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 2.0% more than year-ago levels and 1.5% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports jumped 47.7% to an estimated 164,000 b/d (6.9 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



UAN32 Leads All 8 Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher

Average retail prices for all eight of the major fertilizers continued to be higher during the third week of March 2025, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Only one fertilizer had a substantial price increase, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. The average retail price of UAN32 was 5% higher compared to last month at $412 per ton. Prices for the remaining seven fertilizers were up just slightly from February. DAP had an average price of $766 per ton, MAP $810/ton, potash $454/ton, urea $556/ton, 10-34-0 $649/ton, anhydrous $761/ton and UAN28 $356/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.46/lb.N, UAN28 $0.64/lb.N and UAN32 $0.64/lb.N.

Two fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. UAN32 is 2% higher, while 10-34-0 is 3% more expensive looking back to last year. The remaining six fertilizers are lower. UAN28 is 1% less expensive, both DAP and MAP are 2% lower, urea is 3% lower, anhydrous is 4% less expensive and potash is 10% lower compared to last year.